Well point construction



Oct. 26, 1965 L. GHELFI ETAL 3,213,950

WELL POINT CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 28, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 28 1 FIG. IFIG. 2

INVENTORS LEO L. GH l DAVID A. W LIN icmw Oct. 26, 1965 GHELFl ETAL3,213,950

WELL POINT CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1963 INVENTORSLEO L, GHELFI DAVID A. WERBLIN 6 a 4 O ag/unfa- ATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1965L. GHELFI ETAL 3,213,950

WELL POINT CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 28, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZS FIG. 7

INVENTORS LEO L. GHELFI DAVID A. WERBLIN ATTORNEYS Oct. 26, 1965 L. 1..GHELFI ETAL WELL POINT CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 28, 1963INVENTORS LEO L. GHELFI DAVID A. WERBLIN all!!! il'llln illlllllflail!!! nrlrlll viii 23!: Iii:.iiiiiii:.iiti in United States Patent3,213,950 WELL POINT CONSTRUCTION Leo L. Ghelfi, Coventry, Conn., andDavid A. Werblin,

Riverdale, N.Y., assignors to Griifin Wellpoint Corporation, New York,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 305,125 7Claims. (Cl. 175314) The present invention relates to devices fordraining water or other fluid from soil and particularly to such devicescommonly known as well points.

Such well points are usually provided with nozzles at their lower end sothat they may be placed in position in the soil at the required depth byjetting them into position, that is, by forcing water through the nozzlethereby sinking the device into the soil. After reaching the requireddepth these devices are subjected to suction and are therefore providedwith a valve, usually a float valve which closes off the jetting nozzleand permits water to flow into the well point and be pumped to thesurface by means of suction pumps or otherwise.

It is desirable that during the jetting into position the inflowpassages be closed in order that there be no waste of water exitingthrough these passages but that the flow during jetting be confined tothe nozzle.

Our invention is an improvement on the device shown in Griffin PatentNo. 2,035,313, particularly in that the inflow passageways shown in thatpatent are provided with valves which close during the jetting actionand prevent the water wastage mentioned above.

It is an object of the invention to provide a well point having valvesclosing the inflow passages so that no wastage of water occurs duringthe jetting of the well point into position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a well point withinflow valves which are simple in construction and reliable in operationand which may be provided in such number that they form littlerestriction to flow.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent when thefollowing description is considered in connection with the annexeddrawings, in which,

FIGURE 1 is a central longitudinal section of one embodiment of the wellpoint of our invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the well point ofFIGURE 1 showing particularly the flap valves and mode of pivoting thesevalves in the structures;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the flap valves ofFIGURES l and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a central longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention in which the flap valves are hinged on a vertical aXisrather than on a horizontal axis;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on a plane atright angles to the view of FIGURE 4 showing particularly a vane mountedon the flap valve;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the structure ofFIGURES 4 and 5, the view being taken on the plane of the line 66 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view showing amodified form of the valve of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view taken on theplane of the line 88 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 shows another modified form of the valve of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view taken on theplane of the line 10-10 of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 11 shows a further modification of the valve of FIGURES 4, 5 and6, this view being a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view;

3,213,950 Patented Oct. 26, 1965 FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary transversecross-sectional view of the structure of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 illustrates a still further modification of the preferred formof the invention shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6; and

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary transverse cross-sectional view taken on theplane of the line 14-14 of FIG- URE 13.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URES 1 to 3, thelower head of the well point structure is designated 20. This headincludes the usual valve seat 21 against which the ball 22 seats duringthe pumping, or suction, this ball being lighter than water andconstituting a float valve. The lower head 22 is provided with a nozzle23 which, as described fully in the patent above mentioned, is providedwith nozzle apertures which cause water pumped through the device to beexpelled forcibly and thereby permit jetting of the device into adesired position.

Extending between the lower head 20 and an upper head 24 is acylindrical pipe 25 which constitutes the inflow section. Surroundingthe pipe 25 and concentric therewith is a cylindrical screen 26 which,as is clearly shown in FIGURE 1, also extends from the lower head 20 tothe upper head 24. The screen 26 is spaced from the pipe 25 by means ofthe corrugated perforated plate 27 thus providing a number of flowchannels extending the entire length of the inflow section 25.

As indicated in FIGURE 1, the upper head 24 and pipe 25 are threaded andare connected to a riser pipe such as 28 which extends to the surface ofthe ground and is connected to a suction pump.

As shown in the patent already referred to, the cylindrical pipe 25 orinflow section is provided with openings through which water enters thepipe 25. However, these openings, as indicated above, cause loss ofwater and of jetting power when the well point is being jetted intoposition. In order to avoid this loss of power while at the same timeproviding suflicient passage for inflow of water through the screen 26to the interior of pipe 25, we provide a number of door or flap valvesgenerally designated 30. As is clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, thesevalves are generally rectangular in shape and mate with rectangularopenings 31 formed in the pipe 25. Each valve is pivoted at its top bymeans of a pivot pin 32 which extends through the member 30 and into ahole 33 drilled or otherwise formed in the pipe 25 which hole extendsacross a chord of the pipe as clearly shown in FIGURE 2.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 3 the lower edge of the door valve isbevelled as indicated at 34 and mates with a corresponding bevelled edge35 of the opening formed in the pipe 25. At the top the edge of the door30 is spaced slightly from the corresponding edge of the cutout 31 inthe pipe 25 as indicated at 36 so that it will be free to move to thedotted position indicated in FIG- URE 3.

As will be seen, during the jetting operation water flows downwardly andcauses the flap valves to move to their closed position preventing waterfrom flowing out of the inflow section 25 so that all of the water mustflow out through nozzle 23. When the well point has reached the desireddepth the riser pipe 28 is connected to a suction source and water iscaused to flow upwardly. The only entry for the water at this time isthrough the screen 26 and the openings 31 (the ball having closed oflthe nozzle) and therefore the suction causes the valves 30 to take thedotted line position of FIGURE 3 O permitting water to flow inwardly asdesired and to be likewise may be spaced longitudinally thereof as shownparticularly in FIGURE 1, in order that there be no interference of theflap valves. The number and size of such flap valves depends entirelyupon the desired inflow rate, these valves being made sufliciently largeand provided in sufliciently great numbers so that there will be littlerestriction to the flow of water from the surrounding soil into theinterior of the pipe 25.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 through 6 there is shown therein a preferredform of the invention wherein the flap valve here designated 40 ishinged along a vertical line, i.e., a line parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the well point. In its preferred form as shown in these figures,this valve is made of a plastic material, the hinge being formed bymolding the plastic with a groove along one edge of the flap valve. Asshown in FIGURE 4, a plastic cylinder 41 is placed within the bore ofthe pipe 25, this cylinder or liner having a flange 42 which is held inposition between a shoulder on the lower head 20 of the well point andthe lower end of the pipe 25.

The valve 40 is a portion of the liner cylinder 41, but is separatedtherefrom along three sides either by molding or by cutting subsequentto the fabrication thereof as indicated at 43, 44 and 45. On the fourthside of the generally rectangular valve 40 a groove 46 is formed in theplastic liner member 41, this groove extending vertically and forming ahinge. In this form of the invention the pipe 25 is provided withcircular apertures 47 and the valves 40 seat against the areas such as48 between the apertures 47 as clearly shown in FIGURE 4.

A vane 50 is formed integrally with each valve 40, these vanes extendinginwardly and likewise extending diagonally across the rectangular valve40 in a direction such that when water is pumped into the well point forjetting purposes the flow over the vanes causes the valves to close sothat no jetting water is lost through the inflow passages. On the otherhand, when suction is applied to the pipe 25 the pressure of theexternal water against the outer surface of the flap valves causes themto swing into the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 6 so that waterto be pumped may flow though the apertures 47 to the interior of thepipe 25 and thus be removed by the suction pump or pumps.

FIGURES 7 and 8 show a form of the invention generally similar to thatshown in FIGURES 4 through 6. In this instance, however, the cylinder orliner 41 is omitted and each flap valve 40a is formed with an extension51 along its vertical edge, the extension being fixed to the interior ofthe pipe 25 by the use of suitable fastening such as the rivets 52. Hereagain the valve is grooved at 46 to provide an integral hinge. Asindicated the valve of FIGURES 7 and 8 operates in exactly the samemanner as does that of FIGURES 4 through 6.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 10, there is shown again a valve similarto that of FIGURES 4 through 6. However, in this instance, instead ofusing a complete liner 41 each valve comprises a plurality ofcylindrical members 53 formed integrally with a rectangular piece 54 andspaced lengthwise thereof, the piece 54 being integral with or joined tothe flap valve 40b at one edge thereof only, this edge being the edgeadjacent to which a groove 46 is provided. These cylindrical members 53are flexible and have a circumferential recess 55 formed therein.

Additionally, each cylinder 53 is provided with a bevel 55 at its outerface whereby the cylinders may be forced through the apertures 47 in thepipe 25 thus holding the flap valve 4% in position to cover the variousapertures 47, the valve, as seen in FIGURE 10, seating against therectangular piece 56.

In FIGURES 11 and 12 there is shown a further modification of thepreferred form of the invention in which the flap valves 400, instead ofbeing held in position by flexible cylindrical members 53, are held inposition by similar members 57 which, however, are not flexible.

Members 57 are inserted through the openings 47, the sides which extendoutwardly as indicated by the dotted lines 58 being thereafter crimpedover the outer edges of the apertures holding the hinge in place, thecrimped over edges being designated 60.

FIGURES 13 and 14 show an additional modification of the preferred formof the invention in which the vertically hinged flap valves 40a, insteadof being made of plastic or like material, which is grooved to form thehinge, are made of any desirable material which may be metal or plasticand are hinged to the inner surface of the pipe 25 by means of a pianohinge 61 forming part of a strip 62 which is suitably fastened to theinner wall of the pipe 25 as for example by means of the rivets 63.

As shown in the drawings, the vanes 50, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d are curved inside elevation as seen, for example, in FIGURES 4, 9 and 11. This,however, is not essential and the vanes might be of any desired shape asfor example rectangular.

As indicated, the valve structures of FIGURES 4 through 14 are allsimilar in that the valve members are hinged along a vertical axis andoperate in the manner described in detail in connection with FIGURES 4through 6. The modifications shown in the later figures are purelymodifications in mounting of the valve structures rather than in theoperation thereof.

While preferred embodiments of our invention have been described, itwill be understood that we wish to be limited not by the foregoingdescription, but solely by the claims granted to us.

What is claimed is:

1. In a well point having an inflow pipe section and a jetting nozzlejoined thereto with a float valve therebetween, means to permit inflowof water to the inflow section during application of suction thereto atthe end removed from the nozzle while preventing outflow from the inflowsection when pressure is applied to said remote end during a jettingoperation, said means comprising, in combination, a plurality ofopenings in the wall of the inflow pipe, a plurality of flap valves eachsaid valve comprising a generally rectangular member having its longdimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of said inflow pipe sectionand attached to the inner surface of said pipe by means of a hingedmeans along its long dimension, each said member covering at least oneof said openings and a vane mounted on the inner surface of each saidvalve member and projecting into the interior of said inflow section,said vane extending generally diagonally of said rectangle with the endof said vane which is at the end of said rectangle closest to saidnozzle being closer to said hinge means than the end of said vane whichis at the end of said rectangle remote from said nozzle whereby flow ofwater through said inflow section under pressure during a jettingoperation causes said flap valves to close and to seal against the innerwall of said inflow section preventing escape of fluid through saidopenings.

2. In a well point having an inflow pipe section and a jetting nozzlejoined thereto with a float valve therebetween, means to permit inflowof water to the inflow section during application of suction thereto atthe end removed from the nozzle while preventing outflow from the inflowsection when pressure is applied to said remote end during a jettingoperation, said means comprising, in combination, a plurality of groupsof openings in generally rectangular form in the wall of said inflowsection, a plurality of generally rectangular flap valves each havingits long dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of said inflow pipesection and fixed on the inner surface of said inflow pipe section inposition to close the openings of one of said groups of openings, eachsaid flap having a hinge extending along one of the long sides of saidrectangle and parallel to the inflow section axis, said flap valvesbeing formed of flexible material and having a groove therein providingsaid hinging action, each said valve having a vane fixed to its innersurface, projecting into the interior of said section and extending atan angle to said hinge with the end of said vane which is at the end ofsaid rectangle closest to said nozzle being closer to said hinginggroove than the end of said vane which is at the end of said rectangleremote from said nozzle whereby flow of water under pressure duringjetting operation closes said valves and seals said openings therebypreventing flow of water from said inflow pipe section during jettingoperation.

3. In a well joint having an inflow pipe section and a jetting nozzlejoined thereto with a float valve therebetween, means to permit inflowof water to the inflow section during application of suction thereto atthe end removed from the nozzle while preventing outflow from the inflowsection when pressure is applied to said remote end during a jettingoperation, said means comprising, in combination, a plurality of groupsof openings in said inflow pipe section arranged in generallyrectangular form, a liner of plastic material fixed within said inflowsection, a plurality of generally rectangular flap valves formed bycutting said liner along one long side and two short sides of arectangle each said valve having its long dimension parallel to thelongitudinal axis of said inflow section, one said flap overlying eachgroup of openings, said liner being grooved along the remaining longside of each said rectangular valve to form a hinge, each said valvehaving a vane fixed to its inner surface, projecting into the interiorof said inflow section and extending at an angle to said hinge with theend of said vane which is at the end of said rectangle closest to saidnozzle being closer to said hinging groove than the end of said vanewhich is at the end of said rectangle remote from said nozzle wherebyflow of water under pressure during jetting operation closes said valvesand seals said openings thereby preventing flow of water from saidinflow pipe section during jetting operation.

4. In a well point having an inflow pipe section and a jetting nozzlejoined thereto with a float valve therebetween, means to permit inflowof water to the inflow section during application of suction thereto atthe end removed from the nozzle while preventing outflow from the inflowsection when pressure is applied to said remote end during a jettingoperation, said means comprising, in combination, a plurality of groupsof openings arranged in generally rectangular form in the wall of saidinflow section, a plurality of generally rectangular flap valve memberseach having its long dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidinflow section, each member having a plurality of outwardly extendingtubular portions formed integrally therewith, said tubular portionsextending through the openings of a group of openings thereby holdingsaid members in position within said inflow pipe section, each saidmember having a flap portion formed integrally therewith and beinghinged thereto along a long dimension of said rectangle by means of agroove formed in said material, and a vane on the inner side of eachsaid flap and projecting into said inflow section, said vane extendingdiagonally of said flap with the end of said vane which is at the end ofsaid rectangle closest to said nozzle being closer to said hinge thanthe end of said vane which is at the end of said rectangle remote fromsaid nozzle when said inflow section has pressure applied thereto saidvalves close and seal said openings of said corresponding group.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tubular portions of saidvalve members have a groove in the outer walls whereby said members maybe installed in the openings of said inflow section by forcing saidflexible tubular members through said openings from the interior.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tubular portions of saidvalve members are rigid and said valve members are fixed in said inflowpipe section by inserting said tubular portions through the openings ofone of said groups of openings and crimping the edges over the outersurface of said inflow pipe section.

7. In a well point having an inflow pipe section and a jetting nozzlejoined thereto with a float valve therebetween, means to permit inflowof water to the inflow section during application of suction thereto atthe end removed from the nozzle while preventing outflow from the inflowsection when pressure is applied to said remote end during a jettingoperation, said means comprising, in combination, a plurality of groupsof openings in generally rectangular form in the wall of said inflowsection, a plurality of generally rectangular flap valves each havingits long dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of said inflowsection, each cooperating with the openings of one of said groups ofopenings, means comprising a metallic hinge having one element thereoffixed to and extending along one of the long sides of each saidrectangle for supporting each said flap valve adjacent its group ofopenings, means fixing the second element of said metallic hinge to theinner wall of said inflow pipe section adjacent said rectangularlyarranged group of openings and a vane fixed to each flap valve andprojecting into said inflow section, the end or each said vane which isat the end of said rectangle closest to said nozzle being closer to saidmetallic hinge than the end of said vane which is at the end of saidrectangle remote from said nozzle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 61,726 2/67Edgett 314 X 236,719 1/81 Renton 137525.3 X 385,999 7/88 Chase l37525.3X 400,466 4/89 Lowery et al. 175-314 2,028,447 l/36 Grifiin 175-314 X2,191,968 2/40 Meiser 137-525 X 2,512,695 6/50 Stout et a1. 137-1073,145,783 8/64 Sibley 175314 X JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

1. IN A WELL POINT HAVING AN INFLOW PIPE SECTION AND A JETTING NOZZLEJOINED THERETO WITH A FLOAT VALAVE THEREBEWEEN, MEANS TO PERMIT INFLOWOF WATER TO THE INFLOW SECTION DURING APPLICATION OF SUCTION THERETO ATTHE END REMOVED FROM THE NOZZLE WHILE PREVENTING OUTFLOW FROM THE INFLOWSECTION WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO SAID REMOTE END DURING A JETTINGOPERATION, SAID MEANS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OFOPENINGS IN THE WALL OF THE INFLOW PIPE, A PLURALITY OF FLAP VALVES EACHSAID VALVE COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR MEMBER HAVING ITS LONGDIMENSION PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID INFLOW PIPE SECTIONAND ATTACHED TO THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID PIPE BY MENS OF HINGED MEANSALONG ITS LONG DIMENSION, EACH SAID MEMBER COVERING AT LEAST ONE OF SAIDOPENINGS AND A VANE MOUNTED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF EACH SAID VALVEMEMBER AND PROJECTING INTO THE INTERIOR